Paris 2024 | Netherlands throw off Olympics with hard-fought win over Angola

The Netherlands opened their account in the women’s competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a 34:31 win over Angola, as the African champions were close to deliver a surprise, with a never-say-die attitude, which endeared them to the raucous crowd in the South Paris Arena 6. 

PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES – PRELIMINARY ROUND
GROUP B
Netherlands vs Angola 34:31 (19:18)

Angola are always a tough team to play against at the start of the Olympic Games, as proven at Rio 2016, when they beat Romania, or at London 2012, when they conceded only a three-goal loss against Russia.

Therefore, the Netherlands, which were favourites at the start of the match, knew they were expecting a tough challenge, especially due to Angola’s sheer speed and physicality, which can cause issues to any team on a given day.

There was no time to rest, as the two sides started trading goals early in the first half, as the Dutch side were the first to create a big gap, 8:4, after only eight minutes, with some fantastic fast breaks converted after the European side’s defence worked wonders in stopping Angola.

With over 5.000 spectators in the South Paris Arena 6, which clearly chose the underdog to support, Angola bounced back, with right back Azenaide Carlos and centre back Vilma Nenganga scoring eight goals between them in the first half, the African champions were back in business.

A 3:0 unanswered run between the 21st and the 24th minutes saw Angola tie the score, 14:14, and the two teams traded goals until the end of the first half, when the Netherlands had right back Dione Housheer scoring in the last second to create a one-goal gap, 19:18, at the break.

The rhythm slowed down a bit in the second half, especially as goalkeeper Yara ten Holte had two saves for the Netherlands in the first two minutes, tying her output from the first half, when she and Rinka Duijndam, the other shotstopper, combined for only four saves.

The Netherlands felt that they had an opening and through backs Estavana Polman and Dione Housheer, plus right wing Angela Malestein, they started putting pressure on the Angola defence, which eventually collapsed, as players were getting more and more tired.

The three players combined for 21 of the Dutch side’s first 29 goals, as the Netherlands created their maiden five-goal lead, 29:24, with 14 minutes to go, and they were looking comfortable in the driver’s seat, ready to secure their maiden win at Paris 2024.

But Angola bounced back, cut the gap to three goals and missed key shots, including a penalty, when they were trying to bring the difference back to two goals. Eventually, the Dutch side stood strong and delivered a 34:31 win, as their stars did just enough to secure the crucial points.

Polman and Malestein were their team’s top scorers, with eight goals each, while for Angola, centre back Vilma Nenganga and centre back Helena Paulo each scored six goals.